Las Vegas — Michael Carter-Williams is facing a big moment in his career, and he knows it.

The 24-year-old Milwaukee Bucks guard wants to get back to the form that made him the 2014 NBA rookie of the year as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I'm trying to work on things that I struggled with and really improve this year," Carter-Williams said. "I'm working on a little bit of everything; actually a lot of everything. I'm just trying to be the best I can be."

Carter-Williams arrived in Las Vegas on Sunday, just a few hours late to view the UFC 200 fight card, one of his passions. But he was on hand to support the Bucks summer league entry in its 91-86 loss to the D-League Select team at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd said recently Carter-Williams could lead a strengthened team defense next season. Milwaukee's decline on the defensive end was a big reason for the dip from 41 victories in Kidd's first season to 33 during the past season.

"I want to lead our team, starting on the defensive end," Carter-Williams said. "That's something we lacked is leadership. That's something I want to step in and take charge, be vocal and keep our guys together and make sure we're working hard every single night."

"I think we had a bunch of new guys coming in," Carter-Williams said. "We had Jabari (Parker) coming back from his injury. We had Moose (Greg Monroe). It was my first full year.

"We had a lot of new pieces. We got rid of a lot of guys — Zaza, Ers, Duds — our big glue guys. I think it took us a little time. I think we're ready to fill in those holes. It's time to get back to the mind-set of defense first and worry about offense later."

It's an important off-season for Carter-Williams because he is entering the final year of his four-year rookie scale contract. If he can have a productive season, he can make it pay for him as a free agent with the salary cap rising again next summer.

Carter-Williams came off the bench in two different stretches last season, once in late November and early December and again in February. His season eventually ended early due to hip surgery and he played in 54 games, including 37 starts.

His role could be as a starter or a reserve next season, depending on the way Kidd wants to handle the rotation with anointed point guard Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly signed Matthew Dellavedova.

All three players can handle the ball, so it gives the Bucks different options and more versatility in the backcourt.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen or what's going on, but I think we're all in it for the right reasons and we're all in it together," Carter-Williams said. "I think we both (he and Dellavedova) take some pride in defense and we'll both give some point guards some problems."

Carter-Williams said he likes the signings the Bucks have made in free agency, adding Dellavedova and three-point shooter Mirza Teletovic.

"Teletovic is a great outside shooter," Carter-Williams said. "Delly is going to come in and help us on the defensive end. I think those are two great pickups for us and they're going to help us a lot."

Carter-Williams also is impressed by the play of rookie Thon Maker, who had 17 points and 17 rebounds in his second summer league game on Sunday.

"I like his game a lot," Carter-Williams said. "We've been working out in the gym together. It's good to see him out here enjoying his first summer league."

Carter-Williams averaged 11.5 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds with Milwaukee last season but shot just 27.3% from three-point range and often turned down open threes because of his struggles.

"This is my time off," Carter-Williams said of a short stay in Las Vegas. "Then I'm going to go back to the gym. I'm going to turn it up a notch and get ready for the season. It's right around the corner."

Comeback kid: Former University of Wisconsin star Sam Dekker played only 6 minutes with the Houston Rockets last season due to a serious back injury.

But the 6-foot-9 forward from Sheboygan is back on the court in summer league and using it as a chance to show he's ready to contribute to the Rockets. He had 19 points and seven rebounds as the Rockets beat Sacramento, 85-73, on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.